Page 52 of Colorado Bride

She smiled and patted his cheek.

“See you later, son.”

As soon as the door shut behind him, his mother turned on Emily.

“You get busy doing those dishes and clean this kitchen.I expect you to wash the floor on your hands and knees.I don’t give a fig that you’re expecting.If I’m lucky, you’ll die in childbirth.”

Emily ignored the dying wish.It was nothing new and shook her head.“But we have a mop.Why can’t I use that?You always do when you actually do anything.”

“Keep it up,Mrs.Logan.”

She spat the words like they were a curse and then sat at the table with a cup of coffee.

“When you’re done with the kitchen, you can finish the ironing I started yesterday.If you finish that you can clean the windows.”

“Why do you treat me this way?I’m not your slave.”

Doris went to Emily and stood in front of her toe to toe.She poked her in the chest.

“You think you have him wrapped around your finger, especially since you are in the family way, but he’s my son and he’ll always choose me over you.”

“You have that wrong,Mother.”

Ben stepped into the kitchen from the hall to the living room, the rugs making his footfalls silent.

His mother put her hand to her neck and stepped back from Emily.

“Ben.What are you doing here?I thought you were riding the range today.”

“I know what you thought.I didn’t believe Emily when she told me how poorly you were treating her.I had to see it for myself.I’m ashamed of you, Mother.You have no right to treat Emily like this.She’s willing to help you, but not to be your slave.Now, I expect you to apologize.”

His mother stood there with her mouth in a firm line and her eyes blazing as she stared at Emily and then pointed at her.

“You little witch.This is your fault.”

Ben stepped forward, his eyebrows furrowed and eyes narrowed.“Mother!”

Doris cowered and looked at the floor, but her hands were in fists.

“I’m sorry I treat you poorly.I won’t do it again.”

Emily held her hands clasped in front of her.

“Thank you Doris.I appreciate the gesture.”The words don’t mean anything coming from you, but I’ll accept them in the spirit they are given, as the lie that they are.

Ben walked over to Emily.

“That should take care of the problem.You let me know if she starts in again.Remember you don’t have to do anything she says.You’re the mistress of the house now.She lives here by your good graces.If I have to, I’ll start building the house on the property where she can live alone, sooner, though I’m not sure how with the ground and trees frozen.Now I have to get to work.Both of you have a good day.”

He kissed Emily goodbye for the second time that morning.

She smiled and watched him go.Not that his warnings would make any difference.Doris wouldn’t change and Emily didn’t believe her meek act for a minute.

After he left, Doris turned on her.

“I may have to accept you for now, but you just watch your back.”

Then the woman stomped out of the kitchen.